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The bucket-line dredges that changed the character of gold mining in Alaska and the Yukon were invented in New Zealand. Many changes and additions were made to make them suitable for working frozen ground of Alaska, but the technology changed little for the 80 years they were in use. Although they seem complex, their concept is quite simple. The buckets scoop up the gravel and dump it into sluice boxes inside the floating dredge, water is then pumped in to separate the gold from the gravel, and the worthless gravel is then dumped out the back. You can see the piles of gravel from these early mining operations still today around Fairbanks and Dawson city.

Today most dredging is done with surface suction dredges either operated from shore or on a small boat. Suction dredging is a popular form of recovering gold from the numerous placer streams in Alaska. Various sizes of suction dredges are used, varying from those “recreational” models with a small 11⁄2 inch intake hose to large, heavy dredges with 8 inch and 10 inch intake hoses, driven by powerful engines, and capable of processing large amounts of material in a single day. The surface dredge floats on the surface of the water or sits on the nearby shore. The material is pumped to the surface through a suction hose into an efficient sluice box that is designed for recovering extremely fine particles of fine gold. The sluice box can either rest on the bank, or float on the surface of the water. Another advantage of the surface dredge is it can easily be operated with or without diving equipment. Normally, the smaller size dredges from two to three inches in size are equipped with single sluice boxes, as their primary function is portability and compactness.

Running a Gold Dredging Operation in Alaska
For more complete understanding on this subject, we recommend you read any one of a variety of books and movies available through Amazon’s Gold Dredging Section. The dredge operates when a volume of water is pumped through a tapered orifice (jet), by a special designed water pump. A high velocity jet stream is created within the jet tube producing a powerful vacuum. As a slurry of water and gravel enters the header box and is spread evenly over a classifier screen. The smaller and heavier particles drop below the classifier screen into an area of less velocity, allowing a slower and more selective classification of values. Often values are recovered and easily observed before they even enter the riffle section. The lighter non bearing values and larger aggregate are returned back into the water. The riffles, or gold traps in the sluice box are best described as “Hungarian Riffles”. This type of riffle has proven to be the most efficient gold recovery system. As material flows over the riffles a eddy current is formed between each riffle opening. This force allows the heavier material to settle out of suspension and the lighter, non value bearing material to be washed away. This continuous self cleaning principal allows a dredge to be operated for prolonged periods of time. Normal conditions require a sluice box to be cleaned only once or twice a day.
Getting Started

First Prime the Pump

Before starting the engine of the gold dredge, the pump must be fully primed (filled with water). All jetting pumps provided with our dredges have a mechanical water pump seal. Without the presence of water in the pump, friction can cause a seal to overheat and require replacement. Priming the pump on some of the smaller models is accomplished by thrusting the foot valve back and forth under the surface of the water in a reciprocating motion. This will cause water to become pumped into the foot valve assembly into the pump. A pump is fully primed when water is observed flowing out of the discharge end of the pump. It sometimes may become necessary to hold the discharge hose above the level of the pump to complete the priming operation. The larger dredges that have a rigid foot valve, are easily primed by removing the cap provided on the foot valve and filling, until water overflows. Caution must be exercised to prevent sand from entering the foot valve or intake portion of the pump. Excess amounts of sand could dam age the water pump seal, or pump impeller. It is recommended that the intake portion of the foot valve be placed in a sand free environment underwater, such as a small bucket or pan.

Next Prime the Suction Hose

Priming the suction hose need not be of concern in most dredging operations, but is important to understand the principal. When the tip of the suction hose is taken out of the water during operation air will to enter the suction system and cause the suction power to cease temporarily, until submerged again. The suction will commence as soon as the air is passed through the system. It is important to ensure that no air leaks occur in the suction system.

If the Suction Home Becomes Plugged

The suction system can become jammed while dredging. This can be caused by dredging an excess of sand, causing the suction hose to load up, or a rock that has become stuck in the suction system. Rock jams generally occur in the jet, or just before entry into the jet. This can easily be cleared by removing the rubber plug located on the front of the header box and thrusting the probe rod through the header box and down through the jet in an effort to strike the obstructed area. It may occasionally be necessary to remove the suction hose to remove an obstruction. Sometimes obstructions can easily become dislodged by back flushing the system. Back flushing a suction system can be accomplished on some models by reversing the flow of the suction hose at the header box, by blocking the flow of the water as it enters the header box. If this is not successful. it may be necessary to locate the blockage in the transparent hose and dislodge it by a striking the obstruction, taking care not to damage the hose.

Managing the Intake of Gold Bearing Gravel Into the Gold Dredge.

Care must be exercised to prevent dredging excess amounts of sand. A solid to water balance must be maintained. The solid content being dredged should never exceed 10%. If a suction tip is buried into the sand and not metered properly the solid content could cause the suction hose to become overloaded with solids and suction will cease, this will also cause the sluice box to become overloaded with solid content, resulting in a loss of values. Most models have a slight adjustment to raise or lower the sluice box. The proper sluice box adjustment can effect the recovery of values. If the sluice does not have enough angle, the sluice box will “load up” causing the riffle openings to fill with unwanted excess material. Too much angle will cause the material to flow too fast, resulting in loss of values, evidenced by the riffles running too clean. The optimum adjustment of a properly working sluice box is evident by only a portion of the riffle visible while operating. A loss of values can also occur if the solid content of the suction discharge is too heavy in solid content. Remember, the solid content should not exceed 10 %. A normal sluice box tilt is approximately 1/2 inch to the running foot. A four foot sluice box should have an approximate tilt of 2″

Getting the Gold Out at the End of The Day.

Before attempting to clean the sluice box, it should be allowed to run with only water for a few minutes in order to wash out any excess gravel that have accumulated. Either turn engine off, or let run with a slow idle, then remove the classifier screen and replace the wing nut to prevent losing it. Unsnap the riffle latches, fold the riffle tray up, and let rest against the header box, taking care not to let it drop back into place while cleaning. This could result in a potential injury! Place a wide tray, bucket or large gold pan at the end of the sluice, then carefully roll up the riffle matting and wash into the container at the end of the sluice. Rinse any excess gravel that remains in the sluice into container. All material must be removed before replacing the riffle matting, riffle tray and classifier screen. You’ll then want to pan any of the concentrates you have down into fine gold. Enjoy the cleanup.

Location / Coordinates: Homer, Alaska is on the tip of the Kenai Peninsula, on the north shore of Kachemak Bay. The Homer Spit protrudes into the easterly side of the mouth of Cook Inlet. Coordinates: Latitude 59.64 & Longitude 151.55.
Population / Elevation: Roughly 4,000 people live in Homer, Alaska—the envy of many Alaskans. Homer rises steeply from sea level, on the Homer Spit, to the top of Lookout Mountain (aptly named) to about 1,200 feet.
Description: Driving south on the Sterling Highway, the road rounds the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula. During the summer season, Fireweed is in bloom—carpeting large meadows in a brilliant magenta. An overlook takes in Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay. Homer is just down the road. The scenery here is magnificent—Augustine Volcano is puffing to the southwest on the other side of Cook Inlet, whales are playing in Kachemak Bay, Bald Eagles are soaring overhead. It’s beautiful. Homer is in the middle of all of this.
Spread out … A bit more about Homer, Alaska

Location / Coordinates: Northeast of Anchorage about 35 miles on the Glenn Highway, Palmer is nestled in heart of the Matanuska Valley.
Coordinates: Latitude 61.60 & Longitude 149.11.
Population / Elevation: Palmer’s population is growing rapidly—it’s a short commute to Anchorage and quite a bit cheaper to live than Anchorage. Currently, Palmer is “home” to about 6,000 people, with several thousand more living outside the city limits. Only about 240 feet above sea level, Palmer appears to be much higher with the surrounding mountains looming above it.
Description: Palmer, Alaska is named for a trader, George Palmer. It is a small town—one flashing light in the heart of downtown, and all the amenities, a nice library, grocery stores, three quilting shops, a post office, and assorted other businesses. A new medical center has recently opened just down the Parks Highway.
Large swaths of land were cleared of birch trees to make way for dairy cows and hay fields during … Explore Palmer about Palmer, Alaska

Location / Coordinates: Girdwood is nestled in the Chugach Mountains with the Chugach State Park to the west, Turnagain Arm to the south and Twentymile Glacier to the east. Girdwood is located east of Anchorageabout 35 miles on the Seward Highway (Alaska Highway 1) at the junction with Alyeska Highway.
Coordinates: Latitude 60.94 & Longitude 149.17.
Population / Elevation: Girdwood has an active community of about 2,000 year-‘round. Currently, Girdwood is located up the mountain, two miles inland from Turnagain Arm at an elevation of about 150 feet at the airstrip. Girdwood originally was located at sea level, next to Turnagain Arm. The earthquake of 1964 sunk most of the original Girdwood townsite into the sea.
Description: Girdwood is a beautiful resort getaway both during the summer season and the winter season. One of Alaska’s nicest ski resorts is located here, along with all of the amenities expected of a classic resort village. Surrounded by towering, … more adventure about Girdwood, Alaska

Location / Coordinates: Haines Alaska, also known as the “Eagle Capital of America,” is located on Portage Cove, Chilkoot Inlet, on the upper arm of Lynn Canal in Southeast Alaska. Haines is south of Skagway only about 15 miles—by boat, and north of Juneau about 68 miles, again by boat. Haines Junction is about 160 miles northeast from Haines, driving the Haines Highway.
Coordinates: Latitude 59.235N & Longitude 135.445W.
Population / Elevation: Roughly 1800 people call Haines, Alaska “home.” They share their home with thousands of eagles—celebrated in the Annual Haines Bald Eagle Festival every year. The Eagle Capital of America, AKA Haines, Alaska, begins at sea level, and is built up the hill towards Mt. Ripinski to the north and the end of the Takshanuk Mountain chain to the south.
Description: Haines is a beautiful place, bordering 20 million acres of protected wilderness at the end of American’s longest fjord. Small-town America describes Haines, Alaska. The

Alaska has been home to many of the gold rushes of the 19th and 20th centuries. People came from all over the world to take a chance at making their fortune in the goldfields of Alaska and still do so today. Some are professional exploration geologists and gold prospectors while others are greenhorns learning the ropes of Alaska gold prospecting. No matter what level of experience you bring to the state you can have a wonderful time exploring for gold. You might be content to spend an afternoon panning for gold along the beaches of Nome, Alaska, or maybe you want to run a gold dredge along the forty mile creek, you might even want to get your supplies and head into the wilds of Alaska to search for the newest gold strike. If you have already been bitten by the gold bug you can utilize these pages to help plan your alaska prospecting trip, so you can spend the most days working in color. Those new to gold prospecting can utilize the information here to get started on their new gold adventure in Alaska. The emphasis of information offered to alaska gold prospectors and adventurers on these pages in predominantly for placer gold and paleoplacer gold prospecting and mining. Hard rock mining and underground exploration for gold in Alaska are beyond the scope of the information and purpose of this site. If you would like to learn more about lode gold in Alaska please refer to the links at the bottom of the page. While gold is a very valuable metal and many fortunes have been made from gold, you not plan on making money or even breaking even on any of your Alaskan Gold adventures. You easily could find the gold nugget of a lifetime but more than likely you will find some gold, have some fun, and earn a greater respect for the prospectors that came before you.

Getting Started

The first consideration when planning a gold prospecting trip to Alaska is your budget. How much time and money are you willing to devote to the venture. If you can only fit an afternoon of gold panning on your trip might want to consider one of the commercial gold panning operations operated throughout the state of Alaska. If you have a week and only want to gold prospect in Alaska during your trip a club or professional prospecting and mining adventure might be the right choice. If you have all summer and really want to have a go of exploring for gold in Alaska then perhaps getting a serious outfit is in order. You will have fun regardless of your time and financial budget. The key is to make the most the resources available to you while you are in Alaska prospecting for gold.

Once you have an idea of you budget next you will want to consider the type of trip you want to take. Do you want to do-it-yourself, go with a gold prospecting club, or a commercial operation? What kind of accommodations do you need? Is roughing it to you, no room service or are you happy in a primitive setting, cooking your own food and sleeping in a tent? What ever your preference you will be able to find the type of trip or adventure you want with just a little planning.

Finally you will want to prepare well in advance for your Alaska gold prospecting trip. If you are planning on doing your own trip and you are new to gold prospecting, you will have the most preparation prior to coming to Alaska. You will have supplies to purchase, equipment to master, and research to do prior to departing to Alaska. The easiest way to get up to speed on gold prospecting is to join a club in your local area prior to your Alaska trip. If you have decided to come on a club trip they will be able to tell you what to expect and what your duties will be in camp. You will also want to research the area prior to arriving at the mining camps. Commercial trips take the least amount of preparation but are the easiest. The outfitter will tell you what you will need, normally just your warm weather clothes and rain gear, all other supplies will be provided. Typically your food will be prepared and you will have a warm dry place to sleep, if you requested a multi day gold prospecting trip.

While planning will always make your prospecting trip to Alaska more enjoyable you can always make arrangements for a gold panning adventure once you arrive to Alaska. You might not find the exact trip you want but with a wide selection of gold prospecting and tour companies you will find something to your liking. Time Saving Tips for Gold Prospecting in Alaska

Type of Operation

Gold Panning: The gold pan is the quintessential tool of the Alaska Gold Prospector. When you see one you know that the person is either a gold prospector or planning on becoming one in the near future. They range in size and composition but the shape and style have stayed the same for the last century and no major design changes are foreseen. The gold pan is actually an exploration tool used by gold prospectors to locate an area with the potential for gold or containing visible gold that can be dredged or sluiced. They are inexpensive, small, and easily transported. They also don’t break easily. Normally this is the entry point for those wanting to try out gold prospecting. In Alaska gold pans are used by people exploring creeks, beaches, and panning out the fines after a day of sluicing. Learn more about gold panning in Alaska

Gold Sluicing: Once gold bearing gravel has been located it is time to move to a more efficient method of extracting the gold ore. The preferred method for small prospecting operations is the hand gold sluice. A sluice box consists of a simple trough lined with raised obstructions placed at a ninety-degree angle to the flow of the stream, these are known as riffles. Most modern sluice boxes are made of sheet aluminum or one of the new composite plastic materials. The heavy material such as gold, iron sand, silver, lead and sometimes even platinum, sink quickly and are caught by the riffles. At the end of the day the sluice box is taken apart and the concentrates are panned down to the gold or other metals. Learn more about the gold sluice box

Gold Dredging: In Alaska, dredging is a common method to productively work deeper zones of creeks and streams. A gold miner will use a wet suit and using a suction hose from the dredge, literally vacuum the stream bed. Attention is given to cracks and depressions, behind large racks, and slow moving zones of the stream — where gold is trapped during highwater. To learn more read Gold Dredging in Alaska

Gold Metal Detectors: One of the most productive tools a recreational gold prospector can possess for hunting gold nuggets in Alaska. They are simple to operate, easy to carry, and can be used in many other adventures, not just your gold prospecting trip to Alaska. These detectors use electromagnetic induction to detect metal and are able to distinguish the type and depth of the target. Unwanted metal types (rusty nails) and be filtered out so you won’t be digging for treasure you don’t need. To learn much more about metal detectors and how the work read Gold Metal Detectors in Alaska

Where to Go

Public Mining Areas in Alaska – A list of recreational mining areas throughout the state of Alaska. With the exception of the beach at Nome, all areas are along or accessible from the road system. These are well known areas and will allow the visitor to find some gold during their trip to Alaska.

Commercial Properties – Many owners of mining properties in Alaska have opened up there mining operations to the public. They charge a small fee for access and the visitor gets to keep the gold they find. Some of these properties have gold to find in the existing stream gravels, banks, and pre-worked zones. While others will provide gold bearing sand and gravel. This is where they will salt gold in the gravel so that it is evenly distributed so that everyone will be able to find some gold to take home. Most of the mainstream two hour gold panning tours operate this way. If you are in a hurry these commercial operations offer a nice taste of Alaska gold mining.

Prospecting Club Claims- Mining clubs have purchased productive gold mining claims, specifically the GPAA, and allow their members access to the mining area. They are located throughout Alaska and give the dedicated Alaska prospector a chance to mine in productive historic area. We have listed a few mining properties owned by clubs here in Alaska, but you should check with your local club prior to coming to Alaska, to see if they have any new gold properties in Alaska.

Prospecting Supplies

If you are planning to drive to Alaska I would strongly recommend purchasing your prospecting supplies prior to your departure. You will find many streams that will entice you to stop and pan for awhile as you drive through Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon — especially if you travel through Dawson City. The supplies you need can also be purchased in Anchorage or Fairbanks. If your town doesn’t have a gold prospecting store your might want to consider these national companies that specialize in gold prospecting supplies.

Staking Claims

In Alaska there are four types of property that mining takes place on — private land, native corporation trust lands, state land, and federal land. Most small scale miners will not be able to secure a lease with a native corporation. This leaves the public lands of the state and federal governments that a prospector can explore upon in Alaska. Staking a claim is not a trivial undertaking, but then neither is exploring for gold. Learn more about staking mining claims in Alaska

Selling Your Gold

Finding a place to sell the gold you recovered in Alaska is not nearly as difficult as bringing it to market. Gold can be sold as either a commodity — to a refiner — or as natural art — being sold to individuals, jewelers, artists, and to other prospectors that haven’t had the kind of luck they would find when prospecting for gold in Alaska. The process of selling gold is a little complicated, but easily learned. In the most simple form it can be described as selling the nuggets to jewelers or individual for about twice the spot price of gold (this varies by nugget, but in the up direction) and selling the fine gold to a refiner. Learn about selling gold from Alaska

Clubs and Organizations

Alaska Department of Natural Resource – State of Alaska resource for mining on public lands. The DNR also has geologic reports on mining districts in Alaska.

GPAA – National gold prospecting club that offers group outings, local chapters, and mining vacations. They also have their own TV show.

USGS – United States Geological Survey. Best source for mining reports, maps, and information on where to explore for gold in Alaska and the rest of the USA..